YARIS Greek goddess, incarnation of the principle of grace and elegance, in whose language she was charis or Karis. She was the companion of Hephaestus, the blacksmith god. The Caritas or Graces, were goddesses of grace, beauty, adornment, joy, feast, dance and song. The younger Caritas preside over the pleasures of life, including play, fun, banquets, floral decoration, happiness, rest and relaxation. They were assistants to the goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. The father of the Carites was the mighty Zeus, although the mother's name includes goddesses such as: Eurynome, Eunomia, and even the great Hera. Usually 3 Graces are depicted dancing naked between them. One is Charis and the other two were Agaya or Aflaia and Kalleis. The Carites were also related to the underworld and mysteries of Eleusis, a place near Athens, where annual initiation rituals were performed in honor of the goddesses Demeter and Persephone.